Sea Turtle Ecotourism

Amina, our Turtle Tour Guide in Temeke District

The community based nest monitoring and protection programme implemented by Sea Sense over the past 15 years has increased the survival rate of turtle eggs significantly. Consistently high hatching success rates have enabled the development of a sea turtle ecotourism initiative at Tanzania’s three largest nesting sites (Mafia, Temeke and Pangani). The initiative is being led by Conservation Officers and local ‘Turtle Tour Guides’ and is generating a sustainable source of revenue through visitor donations and viewing fees.

Sea turtle ecotourism also creates awareness amongst local communities, many of whom lack a formal education and have limited access to information about the threats to marine resources including sea turtles. Viewing a nesting sea turtle or watching a nest hatch provides a first-hand opportunity to observe the direct output of a conservation programme and can help to improve knowledge and understanding of the value of conservation initiatives. It is very important that members of the local community including school students have the opportunity to participate in sea turtle hatching events. Tour Guides and Conservation Officers provide that vital link and are responsible for disseminating hatching information to the community.

From a broader economic perspective, sea turtle ecotourism provides benefits to the wider community, beyond those individuals who earn direct income from the project. Half of all ecotourism revenue is donated back to local communities and has contributed to a number of community development projects including refurbishment of village offices and a village water project. The opportunity to participate in marine turtle ecotourism attracts visitors to the project sites, particularly in Ushongo in Pangani District where many visitors report that they go there specifically to watch turtles hatch. Ushongo village receives a percentage of tourism revenue from hotels and lodges in Ushongo so an increase in visitor numbers provides an economic boost to the community. The community is very aware of this benefit and is very proud of the turtle ecotourism initiative.

Did you know?

A female dugong (cow) produces a single calf every 2.5 to 5 years, after a gestation period of 14 months.